District Advisory Councillor,
Commissioner Western Division,
Government Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni sa bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
I am delighted and honoured to be here this morning to officially handover the upgrading of your community access road and the construction of a new crossing.
But, first of all, let me express my profound gratitude for the welcome ceremony accorded to us this morning. It is truly a wonderful experience witnessing the bond of unity existed among the community members. And I trust that this unity in diversity will be a beacon of hope for our children and their children’s children.
The upgrading of the community access road and the construction of a new crossing certainly will bring about significant benefits to the community. This project will now connect you to the rest of the western division and the whole of Fiji. Also, it will provide a vital link for the farmers in terms of harvesting and transporting their root crops and vegetables to the market, even during bad weather.
Moreover, it will provide safe mode of access to secondary schools and higher learning institutions for our children and at the same time ensuring improved efficiency in the delivery of effective medical services for our community.
This project will not only connect roads but it will also help stimulate economic activities in the community and those around us, create employment and small business opportunities, and contribute to the reduction in poverty. Upgrading and/or construction of community access roads and construction of new crossing in rural areas is one of the key focus of the new Peoples Coalition Government. It also include other strategic rural infrastructure such as bridges, jetties, airport services, electricity, water, sanitation, communication, and health infrastructure.
Our coalition Government will ensure that Fiji has a more robust, more resilient and more reliable rural infrastructure network to boost and diversify the base of our economic recovery and growth.
The Government is committed, for the next 4 years, to connect more remote villages and settlements through proper road networks in order to help communities fast-tracking the implementation of their development plan and to realise their long term aspiration.
Government has expended approximately $41,739 for this project, which will benefit 124 people with 24 households. I am certain that you will look after the project well and maintain it to fully serve its purposes in years to come.
I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to the Area District Advisory Councillor and the members of the community for your support and assistance for the successful implementation of this project.
In conclusion, I would like remind us all that we are still at the peak of this cyclone season from November to April each year. Therefore, we should continue to adhere to advisories issued by authorities, stay updated with the latest weather information and prepare accordingly.
On that note, it gives me great pleasure to officially handover this upgraded Nasau community access road and the newly constructed crossing.
Thank you and God bless us all.